The Islamic State terror group has captured a Syrian town, where several Christian families are believed to be living, following a surprise attack against regime forces on Sunday.
The town of Al-Qaryatain in the central province of Homs has been surrounded by government troops after it fell under the control of ISIS.
The town, which is known to be a symbol of religious coexistence, was home to some 30,000 people — 900 of whom are Christians — before the civil war broke out in 2011.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that violent clashes broke out after the jihadists sneaked into the town.
According to a report from Agence France Presse (AFP), the town was liberated from ISIS in April 2016, eight months after it fell under jihadist control.
Read more on The Christian Times
